August 12 Sermon Now faith is the
assurance of the things
hoped for and the conviction of things
not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Jesus said to His disciples: Do not be afraid,
little flock, for it is your Father's good
pleasure to give you the
kingdom. Luke 12:32
The kingdom is the rule of God in our lives now. It means following God’s way – living
according to His word. So we pray, Thy
Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth – by us. Doing His will - living by
God’s rules and thus being a part of His kingdom now.
In His kingdom now and also in the future. This earthly existence is not the only one – we have
an eternal destiny with the Lord in heaven.
And that is a gift. We are saved
by grace.
Jesus gives us the assurance of things hoped for - our salvation,
the conviction of things not seen – our heavenly home.
The gift – the blessing – is received by faith – by trusting the
promise.
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By faith Abraham obeyed… and he set out, not knowing
where he was going. Hebrews 11:8
Our first two lessons recount the blessings promised to Abraham and
Sarah. They are an example of responding
in faith to the promise of God. With the
promised blessing came the call to faith and obedience.
They were promised many descendants and a new land of their own in a
far away place. But to claim the
promised blessings, they’d have to believe the Lord’s word – and not just
believe in their heart, but act on it.
Abraham and Sarah would have to pack their stuff and set out for that
new home – trusting the potential of the promises of God as they set out
without a map or a known destination.
They stepped out into new situations where they had to rely on God for
protection and provision. And that is
faith – trusting God’s word and acting on it, relying on His power.
*
A man was visiting
Several other passengers chimed in that he just needed to “step down” –
step onto the lower step in front of the door and it would automatically open.
He was sort of embarrassed, but then reflected on the experience. Maybe doors don’t open for us because first
we have to step out toward the door – and only then it will open. If you’re not willing to take the first steps
– to step out in faith – that door remains shut.
To receive the blessing – the realization of God’s promises, Abraham
and Sarah had to step out in faith. They
had to trust God would be with them and continue to guide during the journey,
without a specific, comprehensive plan for their future.
Faith allows one to act even though the end result is unknown.
*
During the announcements before the last hymn, the Pastor announced,
“There will be a meeting of the Board immediately after the service.”
After the hymn, the church board gathered for a called meeting. They all looked surprised when a visitor who
had never attended their church before joined them. The pastor said: My friend, did you
understand that this is a meeting of the board?
“Yes, and after your sermon, I’m about as bored as you can get.”
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It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Jesus welcome you into His kingdom – but to receive the blessings, you
have to believe His promise and step out in faith – trusting that His is with
you. Act in faith with the assurance of
things hoped for - being just sure enough to step beyond your doubts.
*
The birth of baby is one of unspeakable joy. Yet if parents stopped to count the cost –
which fortunately they never do – they might be tempted to turn down the
gift. The sleepless nights and worrisome
days, the complete disruption of their lives – then the future costs: braces
for the teeth, clothes and school supplies and college tuition – the headaches
and disappointments and weddings. If
they thought about all that, young parents might be tempted to say, “No, thanks
anyway, but I think I will pass.”
But instead they act in faith with the assurance of things hoped for -
the joy that baby will bring. That hoped
for joy is enough to overcome doubts and hesitations.
*
A nun who works for a home health care agency was on her way to a
patient when she ran out of gas. But
there was a gas station a short distance away so she walked to it. She asked to borrow a gas can, but the
attendant said they didn’t have one.
Since she really had to get to see her patient, she walked back to her
car to look for anything she could put enough gas in to drive to the
station. Then she spotted the bed pan
she was taking to the patient. Always
resourceful, she carried it back to the station, filled it with gas, and walked
back to her car.
As she was pouring the gas from the bed pan into the tank, two men
walked by, looked, and one said: Now that’s what I call faith.
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With the gift of the kingdom, Jesus offers a word of encouragement and
a word of hope.
Encouragement: We don’t rely
solely on our efforts. Christ gives us a
share of His Spirit to guide and empower us.
He will make up for what we lack – and his strength is made perfect in
our weakness.
Like Abraham and Sarah, step out in faith with good courage, even when
you’re not sure where he is leading, and trust that His hand will guide you and
His love support you.
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Do not be afraid, little
flock
Jesus speaks to a group of disciples, the “little flock”. A flock is not a single sheep. We too are individual members of a little
flock of disciples who are trying to live as citizens of heaven. We journey in faith with brothers and sisters
who help us bear burdens and offer one another encouragement.
Encouragement and a message of hope:
Being a follower of Jesus also offers something more: The incomprehensible love of God and the joy
that comes with His love – the joy of the kingdom of heaven.
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Think again about the birth of a baby. When the pain-filled moment of
birth is past, and before any calculation of the cost of parenthood, there
comes the sweet moment of peace when the healthy baby is given to the new
mother to hold. Unspeakable joy fills
that corner of the world – a joy that spreads from mother to father – a joy
that embraces grandparents and all in the family.
This is like the joy that comes from living in the sunlight of God’s
grace. Just count the blessings that
come with the
Joy comes from knowing that our sins are forgiven – that we need not
drag them through life like a load of garbage.
Joy comes from the knowledge that, despite what you make think of your
self – or what others may think about you – you are deeply loved and valued as
a child of God.
Joy comes from being a part of the family of God, surrounded by
brothers and sisters, companions on the same journey.
Joy comes from knowing that the value of your life is not measured by
your bank account or what you’ve accomplished, or even how much good you have
done, but simply by this: God loved you
so much that he gave His Son for you - and you are precious in His sight..
And these are but a part of the treasures given you in the kingdom –
these current blessings are just the beginning.
Somehow, in a way we cannot understand, God has planned for us unending
days in that place set aside for the citizens of His kingdom – an eternity with
God.
Have no fear, for it is God’s pleasure to give you a love so great and
a realm so sweet that it will take you an eternity to understand it and express
your gratitude.
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Faith is believing the promises of God.
The catch is that the
fulfillment of the promise can only come after we believe
the promise and act on it.
Faith. More
than just believing, but stepping
out in faith and acting like you
believe the promises are true for you.
As the old Baptist hymn puts it, “Standing on the promises of God.”
Trusting
in the Lord’s promises to us, we can actually live without anxiety, knowing
God can do the “best of
things” in the midst of the
worse circumstances of life.
Faith in God provides a blessed assurance
that can see us through uncertainty
a certain hope that overcomes despair
a peace from God that surpasses human
understanding.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God, creator of the universe.
You have created a world for us, as a home for us to enjoy and care
for.
And you take pleasure in giving us another gift, a more lasting
destination, the kingdom of heaven.
Give us the courage to step out in faith, even when, like Abraham and
Sarah, we can’t see the destination, simply trusting that your hand is leading
us and your love supporting us.
And give us a hint, as we go, of the joy to come, so that we can be
sustained in our earthly journey, and led to your eternal kingdom.